What are diamond fakes/replicas?
Diamond counterfeits are sold as genuine diamonds, but in reality they are artificial.
DIAMONDS
During 2023, new machines developed for the production of synthetic diamonds halved the cost of producing previously quite expensive laboratory-grown diamonds, especially colorless and clear synthetic diamonds.
In 2024, once mass production was fully underway, prices halved again, and it became possible to add any color shade to the manufacturing process.
This development also attracted dishonest online sellers to the market, especially since it is common knowledge that synthetic diamonds cannot be reliably distinguished from real diamonds without professional tools and experience.
And as if that weren't enough to confuse the market, similar new-generation machines began to be used to manufacture imitation diamonds at 70–80% lower cost than before.
Dishonest sellers soon realized that it was even more difficult to reliably identify diamonds that had already been set in jewelry, so it was worthwhile to set diamond imitations in gold jewelry and sell them as genuine diamonds.
CERTIFICATES
The same fraudulent phenomenon has also taken over gemstone certificates. It is no longer necessary to use and invent the names of unknown laboratories and certificate templates; now, certificates from well-known laboratories are also being forged directly, because it is easier to forge paper than to make a real diamond...
BUT fortunately, there are still some saving factors:
The certificates of the best laboratories contain two facts that reveal forgeries:
They have a certificate verification number that can be checked on the laboratory's website.
ALARMING SITUATION IN THE DIAMOND MARKET
During 2025, we ourselves have witnessed dishonest sales practices:
Cubic zirconia G.G.G, strontium titanite Y.A.G. or moissanite are being sold as synthetic and genuine diamonds.
Synthetic diamonds are being sold as genuine diamonds.
Stones certified as genuine by IGI, GIA, and others are being sold.
Diamond jewelry set with moissanite is also available for sale in the EU.
Cases experienced in 2024:
Of four synthetic diamonds ordered from China, one was a synthetic diamond, two were moissanites, and one was G.G.G.
Fifty percent of a batch of standard-sized 3 mm synthetic diamonds were moissanites.
A European jewelry retailer sold two synthetic diamond gold rings with IGI certificates, but after testing, they were found to be moissanites. After a complaint, the seller apologized for the incident and promised to refund the purchase price if the jewelry was returned, but after the return, the seller claimed that the stones had been replaced and that he, the seller, had been cheated. In this case, the IGI certificates were also forged.
WHAT SHOULD THE BUYER DO NOW?
The old truth still applies in the jewelry business:
IF AN OFFER IS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT PROBABLY IS...
Now, more than ever, it is worth sticking to products from Finnish retailers
In Finland, at least, retailers are accountable for their sales, which means that buyers' product safety is guaranteed.
We also verify gemstones before putting them on sale.
In addition, diamonds are measured with an accuracy of 0.01 mm, which means that no two diamonds are identical, thus revealing those who try to use an existing laboratory number but whose exact measurements do not match.
Furthermore, larger diamonds are laser engraved with a number, but even this method has already been found to be counterfeited.
Best regards,
jalokivitukku.com